The Chiefs consistently are one of the blackest teams in the NFL. This year's edition lacks any white fullbacks and receivers. Rookie TE Michael Allan deserves a medal for making the roster, though he is only the fourth stringer at his position.
The only white player of note on the team is DE Jared Allen, who may be the best end in football. Allen has 27.5 sacks in his first three seasons, already ninth best in franchise history. He is a tremendous pass rusher who at times is an unstoppable force.
Backup free safety Jon McGraw, a one-time high draft choice of the Jets, is the only other white defensive player on the team.
All three quarterbacks are white, though starter Damon Huard is probably the most obscure starting QB in the league. Huard beat out Brody Croyle, the former Alabama star, for the job, though Croyle may be starting at some point in 2007.
Rookie Tyler Thigpen is the third quarterback.
The rest of the team's small contingent of white players is on the offensive line. John Welbourn starts at right guard and Casey Wiegmann is the starting center. Kyle Turley, long a standout tackle in New Orleans but who fell out of favor with Jim Haslet during his era of nearly coal black Saints squads, is listed as the starting right tackle on some depth charts but not on others.
Will Svitek and Rudy Niswanger are backup o-linemen.
NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 4-5
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 13
GRADE: F
The only white player of note on the team is DE Jared Allen, who may be the best end in football. Allen has 27.5 sacks in his first three seasons, already ninth best in franchise history. He is a tremendous pass rusher who at times is an unstoppable force.
Backup free safety Jon McGraw, a one-time high draft choice of the Jets, is the only other white defensive player on the team.
All three quarterbacks are white, though starter Damon Huard is probably the most obscure starting QB in the league. Huard beat out Brody Croyle, the former Alabama star, for the job, though Croyle may be starting at some point in 2007.
Rookie Tyler Thigpen is the third quarterback.
The rest of the team's small contingent of white players is on the offensive line. John Welbourn starts at right guard and Casey Wiegmann is the starting center. Kyle Turley, long a standout tackle in New Orleans but who fell out of favor with Jim Haslet during his era of nearly coal black Saints squads, is listed as the starting right tackle on some depth charts but not on others.
Will Svitek and Rudy Niswanger are backup o-linemen.
NUMBER OF WHITE STARTERS: 4-5
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF WHITE PLAYERS ON 53 MAN ROSTER: 13
GRADE: F
